Boeing B-52D "Big Belly" BUFF Live Drop

The B-52D was a dedicated long-range bomber without a reconnaissance option. The Big Belly modifications allowed the B-52D to carry heavy loads of conventional bombs for carpet bombing over Vietnam. Aircraft assigned to Vietnam were painted camouflage with black bellies to defeat searchlights.

In December 1965, a number of B-52Ds underwent Big Belly modifications to increase bomb capacity for carpet bombings. While the external payload remained at 24× 500 pound (227 kg) or 750 pound (340 kg) bombs, the internal capacity increased from 27 to 84× 500 pound bombs or from 27 to 42× 750 pound bombs. The Big Belly modification now created enough capacity for a total of 60,000 pounds (27215 kg) in 108 bombs. Thus modified, B-52Ds could carry 22,000 pounds (9,980 kg) more than B-52Fs. Replacing B-52Fs, modified B-52Ds entered combat in April 1966 flying from Andersen Air Force Base,Guam. Each bombing mission lasted ten to 12 hours with an aerial refueling by KC-135 Stratotankers. In spring 1967, the aircraft began flying from U Tapao Airfield in Thailand which had the advantage of not requiring in-flight refueling. These missions lasted only 2 to 3 hours. On 15 April 1968, a Replacement Training Unit was established at Castle AFB which converted B-52E through B-52H crews to B-52Ds so they could participate in combat in Southeast Asia.

On 22 November 1972, a B-52D (55-0110) from U-Tapao was hit by a SAM while on a raid over Vinh. The crew was forced to abandon the damaged aircraft over Thailand. This was the first B-52 to be destroyed by hostile fire in Vietnam.

The zenith of B-52 attacks in Vietnam was Operation Linebacker II which consisted of waves of B-52s (mostly D models, but some Gs without jamming equipment and with a smaller bomb load). Over 12 days B-52s flew 729 sorties, dropping 15,237 tons of bombs on Hanoi, Haiphong, and other targets. In total, ten B-52s were shot down over North Vietnam and five others were damaged and crashed in Laos or Thailand.

B-52D tail gunners were credited with shooting down two MiG-21 "Fishbeds"; one on 18 December 1972, by SSgt Samuel O. Turner, and one on 24 December 1972, by A1C Albert E. Moore. Turner was awarded a Silver Star for his actions. The last Arc Light mission took place on 15 August 1973 and all B-52s left Southeast Asia shortly after.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• B-52
• B-52D
• Stratofortress
• BUFF
• Big
• Belly
• Vietnam
• War
• Arc
• Light
• Linebacker
• II
• U-Tapao
• Andersen
• AFB
• bombers
• aviation
• aircraft
• Boeing

[778i2]

BUFF=Big Ugly Fat Fuck :D

[surfjerr]

@SoCalDualSport You take one human and blame them,But im not in control like my fellow man,Please know it isnt american ppl.its the kabal thats in control,Look around you my friend america is standing up against this kabal.We fight the same battle as you do.i will stand with you not against you my friend.

[chuckyChalfin]

dear santa ... :D

[roguelead72]

@Radi0activ3Cupcak3 The Nazis killed 6 million Jews alone, the total number is closer to 2-3 times that.

[SoCalDualSport]

@DALTOWN22 What are you talking about?

[DALTOWN22]

@SoCalDualSport IT IS OUR FAULT FOR LETTING DUMBASSES LIKE YOU LIVE, YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN POUNDED IN THE HEAD AT BIRTH!

[SoCalDualSport]

@Radi0activ3Cupcak3 You're acting like an idiot. You didn't read the thread. I was responding to a guy blaming America for killing innocent people and it turns out (from looking at his channel) that he is American. Read back, then make your comment. It was sarcasm. Fuck.

[Radi0activ3Cupcak3]

@SoCalDualSport how is EVERYTHING our fault. Idiots like you think that. The Japanese killed about 21,000,000 people across asia during WWII. Is that our fault? The Nazi regime killed around 6,000,000 innocent people during their reign. You probably think that is our fault too huh? People like you need to get off their dumbass conspiracy sites, wiggle their ass out of that chair, and walk into the sunlight. And if your town ever gets attacked, know that it will be the U.S. that will be in first

[Radi0activ3Cupcak3]

Great to know where my tax money is going to

[SoCalDualSport]

@surfjerr Hey...you're an American. It's all your fault. All the deaths in wars are your fault you fucking American.

[IrianZamJaya]

@MegaMryomama Actually I look like "F*cking barbarians, once again."